Following the Fire Brigades Union’s (FBU) National Conference last Thursday, it was agreed that all 55,000 FBU members including the four Woking watches would be asked to vote in a strike ballot over pay. The FBU is demanding a 40 per cent pay rise for qualified firefighters from £21,500 to £30,000 to provide parity with other professional workers. Woking firefighter Steve Murray indicated all staff would “probably” advocate strike action next month in the secret postal ballot. He said: “We have the most to gain out of all the firefighters across the country because we have the worst standard of living with Surrey being so expensive.” Attempting to dispel claims public support may not stretch to the FBU’s 40 per cent demands, he said: “So far the feedback has been pretty good. “Most people are very surprised to learn that we are surviving on such a low wage.” Results of the strike ballot are expected to be published in the next two weeks with a series of 48-hour strikes proposed starting in October. This would see a return of the Army Green Goddesses to the borough’s streets if the Cawsey Way fire station shuts up shop. They were previously used in the last national strike in 1977, which lasted nine weeks. FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said: “We are determined to end the tradition of low pay in the fire service. “The public knows our members are truly special people; whether they are at a house fire, road accident or train crash they are prepared to risk their lives to save others. “This places them in a very unique and special place. “All we are demanding is they get paid the going rate for the job, which is £30,000.” Hoping to break the stalemate the Local Government Association (LGA) had promised an independent pay review sanctioned by central government with a four per cent interim pay rise offered. Disappointed by the FBU’s refusal to accept the olive branch, an LGA spokesman said: “A strike will only serve to continue the impasse and while this may suit the agenda of those that might be seeking confrontation with the government it will harm firefighters’ families.” LGA chairman Jeremy Beecham said: “It defies comprehension that a union representing a crucial emergency service and a profession with such a tradition of courage and skill thinks it can reasonably hold the country to ransom over such an unreasonable wage demand. “The FBU seems determined to place the British public at risk. Why will they not put their case to inquiry? Is there another agenda?” Leading Woking firefighter John Sherlock said: “These politicians are just failing to see the bigger picture. “I admit 40 per cent is probably a little ambitious but the LGA hasn’t offered anything reasonable and that is why negotiations have come to a standstill. “Our last pay deal was negotiated in 1977 and we would need a 21 per cent rise just to get back up to that level.” He added: “Andy Gilchrist is the first leader to come out and say to us ‘Look lads you are being short changed’.”